Stanley John Weyman

Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, on August 7, 1855, he studied at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, Oxford, where he took a degree in modern history in 1877. He was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1881 and practiced as a barrister before turning seriously to fiction.

He became known for historical romances and adventure novels, especially during the 1890s. Among his best-known books are The House of the Wolf, A Gentleman of France, The Red Cockade, and Under the Red Robe. Many of his most successful stories are set in France during the turbulent years of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, which helped earn him the nickname "Prince of Romance."

Although his fame faded after his lifetime, his work still appeals to readers who enjoy classic historical fiction with duels, politics, suspense, and brisk storytelling. He died on April 10, 1928.